Queen Máxima of the Netherlands looks graceful in royal blue as she pays her respects in Normandy on the 80th anniversary of D-Day

Queen Máxima of the Netherlands has joined veterans in Normandy to mark the 80th anniversary of the Second World War D-Day landings.

The Dutch royal, 53, joined international leaders and other royals at the D-Day Anniversary International Ceremony at Omaha Beach, Normandy, France.

Accompanied by her husband King Willem-Alexander, 57, she donned a chic navy blue suit with blue marble buttons done up at the chest. The royal wore her colour casually loose while keeping gracious and respectful in her floor length gown.

She carried matching leather gloves and a practical black clutch bag at her hip. 

The monarch wore tasteful make-up for the ceremony with a lightly smoked eye and soft pink lip.

Queen Máxima of the Netherlands (pictured) donned a chic navy blue suit with blue marble buttons done up at the chest

Queen Máxima of the Netherlands (pictured) donned a chic navy blue suit with blue marble buttons done up at the chest

Willem-Alexander matched his wife in a smart navy suit and light blue tie. The two were pictured waving respectfully as they were pictured attending.

They joined the long list of both international leaders and fellow royals who honoured the veterans at the 80th anniversary. 

Prince William thanked veterans for fighting for freedom as he stepped in to represent Britain on the world stage in his father's place at a moving ceremony to honour the heroes of D-Day at Omaha beach.

The Prince of Wales joined world leaders including US president Joe Biden, France's Emmanuel Macron and Canada's Justin Trudeau at Omaha Beach, to mark the historic event on its 80th anniversary. While in France, Prince William also met Ukrainian President Zelensky, as war rages in Ukraine against Russia.

The 41-year-old is deputising for his father King Charles at the major event while His Majesty continues to recover after undergoing treatment for cancer earlier this year.

Pictured Queen Máxima (left) and King Willem-Alexander (right) arriving at the ceremony. They joined the long list of both international leaders and fellow royals who honoured the veterans at the 80th anniversary

Pictured Queen Máxima (left) and King Willem-Alexander (right) arriving at the ceremony. They joined the long list of both international leaders and fellow royals who honoured the veterans at the 80th anniversary

Pictured: Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meet the King and Queen of the Netherlands

Pictured: Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meet the King and Queen of the Netherlands

They appeared engaged in deep conversation during today's D-Day Anniversary International Ceremony at Omaha Beach

They appeared engaged in deep conversation during today's D-Day Anniversary International Ceremony at Omaha Beach

President Zelensky, his wife, and King Willem-Alexander listened attentively as Queen Maxima spoke

President Zelensky, his wife, and King Willem-Alexander listened attentively as Queen Maxima spoke

Maxima animatedly joined in the conversation with her husband, President Zelensky and his wife

Maxima animatedly joined in the conversation with her husband, President Zelensky and his wife

The Queen and her husband, Willem-Alexander, posed with the Ukrainian President and his wife

The Queen and her husband, Willem-Alexander, posed with the Ukrainian President and his wife

The royals posed for photos with Zelensky and his wife at the commemorative event in Normandy today

The royals posed for photos with Zelensky and his wife at the commemorative event in Normandy today

Pictured: Maxima and her husband attending the the D-Day commemoration at Omaha beach today

Pictured: Maxima and her husband attending the the D-Day commemoration at Omaha beach today

Maxima wore a navy dress with statement buttons fo the ocasion, and co-ordinated her accessories

Maxima wore a navy dress with statement buttons fo the ocasion, and co-ordinated her accessories 

The royal waved to wellwishers as she attended the D-Day Anniversary International Ceremony at Omaha Beach

The royal waved to wellwishers as she attended the D-Day Anniversary International Ceremony at Omaha Beach

The monarch had been present at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer earlier in the day, paying tribute to the 'remarkable wartime generation' who put their lives on the line to end the Nazi occupation of Europe.

However, he and Queen Camilla have decided not attend the international commemorative ceremony in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer which is 20 miles (32km) away, giving his eldest son and heir to the throne William a chance to shine.     

At the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, tribute was paid to the 'remarkable wartime generation', before wreaths of poppies were laid in memory of the more than 25,000 soldiers who lost their lives in the first stages of the invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe. 

Soldiers who took part in the Normandy landings 80 years ago wept as they remembered their fallen comrades and were given standing ovations by the grateful younger generations at a series of touching commemorative events in northern France.

The number of veterans in attendance was only a few dozen, as the numbers of survivors dwindles with each year that passes - at the 75th anniversary five years ago 255 travelled to France, compared to the 50 who have made the journey this time around.